Cigarette lighter



Feb. 17, 1931. E. T PATNAUDE 1,792,924

C IGARETTE LIGHTER Filed May 8: 1928 Patented Feb. 17, 1931 UNITED sTATEsl PATENT OFFICE EDMOND T. PATNAUDE, OE PROVIDENCE, RHODE IsEAND, AssIGNOR T o cLARx LIGHTER oo. ING., or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or MARYLAND CIGARETTE LIGHTER' Application mea nay s,

'lhis invention relates generally to pocket cigar and cigarette lighters.

One of the objects of this invention is the construction of a cigarette lighter employing an improved Hint tube construction. i

A still further object of this invention is the construction of an improved Hint tube having means for feeding the Hint as it lis worn away without the unsightly projection of the controlling thumb screw.

A still further object of this invention is the construction of pressure controlling means for forcing the flint against the sparking wheel by a construction which is exceedingly simple and cheap to manufacture and assemble.

These and other objects, as will `appear from the following disclosure, are secured by means of this invention.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction, arrangement and relative location of parts all as will more fully appear hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings- Figure l is a side elevational view of the device showing the improved Hint tube;

' Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the Hint tube;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view similar to Fig.

2 with some parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view Of a modified form of construction and Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view of this construction;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view ofan element` employed in the form shown in Figs. l, 2

and 3 F igs. 7 and 8 are Vertical cross sectional views in two stages of construction of a modified knurled thumb member 'employed on 40 the end of the Hint tube;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the modified form using the knurled thumb member of Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the-Hint tube used in this modication;

Fig. 1l is a similar view showing the knurled thumb member applied to the Hlnt tube' Fig. 12 shows a modified form ofthe device; and

1928. Serial No. 276,042.

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view -on the line .In the usual forms of cigarette lighters n'ow found on the market the Hint tube comprises a hollow tubular member within which'theHint screw projects a considerable distance from the end of the Hint tube and as a result is unsightly as well as cumbersome. As the Hint or sparking material wears away the thumb screw is moved into the tube causing the spring to advance the Hint so that when the Hint is substantially all gone the thumb screw is entirely within the Hint tube. It is apparent then that in thetwo extremes the threaded screw is either projecting from the Hint tube for a considerable distance or else is all the way in and at various positions between these limits depending upon the length of the Hint. It is the purpose of this invention to provide a construction whereby' the thumb screw which adjusts thepressure on the Hint is at all times close up to the end of the flint tube regardless of the length of the Hint or sparking material. This construction results in a pocket lighter which is neat in appearance.

Referring to the drawings, the lighter is shown comprising a Huid container 1 having a threaded plug 2 in an opening in the container through which the container may be filled. The upper end of the container is provided with a vertical post 3 rigidly secured thereto through which and in which is mounted the hollow Hint tube 4 provided with a recessed cap member 7 which protects the steel sparking wheel. Also mounted in the top of the container 1 is a short vertical rotatable shaft 5 having a thumb wheel 6 by means of which the shaft may be rotated by the users thumb. The upper end of the shaft 5 is provided with the milled steel wheel which lies within the recess in the cap member 7 as is well lmown in the art.

In Fig. 2 the Hint tnbe'4, which is shown in cross section, houses the Hint or sparking material 8. The bore extending through the Hint tube extends completely through so that the Hint S can contact with the steel wheel within the cap 7. A spring 9 presses against the Hint S and a threaded plug/11 havingthe integral extension 12 moves back and forth when it is rotated within the Hint tube by reason of the threads on the internal surface ofl the Hint tube. The extension 12 is square or rectangular in cross section.v The length of the threads and the length'of the extension 12 are such that'the plugll cannot be advanced so as to get out of control of the member 14. This plug m'ember 14 Hts over the extension 12 at one end and at the other end extends through a cap 13 which is secured to the Hinttube by the threads on the external surface thereof. p

The plugged'member 14 is provided with a knurled head 15 by means of which it may be rotated. It will be apparent that as the members 14 and 15 are rotated they cause the plug 11 to rotate and thus advance along the Hint tube forcing the Hint against the spark Wheel through the agency of the spring. It will be apparent that byfmeans of this construction the knurled member 15 always lies in the same position with respect to the Hint tube and does not extend therethrough at varying distances as in the usual form of device.

In the modified construction of' Figs. 4 and a plugged member 30 similar to the member 14 is employed which is provided with a pin 34 extending transversely of the plugged end. The plug 31 is provided with an integral extension 32 which, in this case is slotted at 33 so as to enclose the pin 34. By means of this construction the plugged member 30 and plug 31 form an integral unit, the elements of which cannot be separated and thus lost.

In the modified construction of Figs. 7 to 11 the Hint tube 4 is provided with a boss 42 and is longitudinally slotted a short distance as at 43. A member 40 is constructed in the form of av cap having a bore at one end and a conical edge at the other. This edge is folded over, as shown at 41, to provide an internal boss on the end thereof. The plugged member 14 in this case is riveted to the cap 40, as shown. The cap 40 is of such size With re-f spect to the Hint tube that it can,-under suitable pressure, be forced over the end thereof which is resilient by reason of the slot 43. The bosses 41 and 42 cooperate to hold the cap 40 on the end of the Hint tube. As before, a plug of the forms 11 or 31 may be used.

In the form of the device shown 'in Figs'. 12 and 13 a cap member 50 similar to the cap member 13 is constructed iso as to removably engage the threaded end of the Hint tube. Mounted in the cap member 50 for rotation is a short rod member 51 provided with a 65 thumb nut 52 so that it maybe rotated inters Patent is alignment the projection 55 will seat in the recess 53. The result is a device operated on the principle of a crank so that as the thumb nnt 52 is rotated the plug 551i s rotated through the crank action of the members 51 and 55. It is apparent that this form of construction adapts itself to ease and rapidity of manufacture and represents a rugged form of the device.

It will be ationce apparent that I have devised a new and novel form of Hint tube construction for pocket cigarette lighters which employs certain principles of construction. I am Well aware that some changes in the details of construction and relative arrangelnent of parts may occur to those skilled in the art and I do not, therefore, desire to be limited to the exact form of device disclosed by meA for purposes of illustration but rather to the scope of the invention as it is defined in the appended claims.

lVhat I seek to secure by United States Let- 1. In a construction for a cigarette lighter, the combination with a Hint tube comprising a hollow member longitudinally slotted at one end and havinga boss thereon, of a cap member h( ving a boss on `one end thereof for engaging the boss on the Hint tube and a slotted member secured to t-he cap so as to extend internally of the Hint tube when the cap is applied thereto.

2. In a cigarette lighter, the combination wit-h a container, of a Hint tube mounted thereon and having threads internally and externally thereof, a threaded plug adapted to engage the-internal threads and having an integral extension, a bifurcat-ed member engaging said integral extension, a threaded cap adapted to be threaded onto the end of said Hint tube and present a shoulder to pre rent the Withdrawal of said bifnrcated member, and means extending through said cap and joining said bifureated member with a thumbwheel so that rotation of `the thumb Wheel turns .said bifurcated member and causes the threaded plug to move backwards and forwards as a function of the direction of rotation of said thumb Wheel. v

3. In a pocket cigarette lighter, the com-l bination With va container of a hollow Hint tube internally and externally threaded for a predetermined distance, a Hint slidably mounted .Within the tube, a spring pressed against the Hint and a threaded plug engaging the spring at its free end and moving on the internal threads aforementioned, an 'integral extension on said plug'and a bifurcated 130 and externally threaded, a threaded plug having an integral extension and adapted to move longitudinally of the tube on .the internal threads, a bifurcatedmember extending into the'tube and engaging said extension, a cap having a central hole therein attached-to the l flint tube through which the bifurcated mem- `sur ber extends for holding it within the tube, and Vmean'seziternal of the Hint tube and secured to said bifurcated member whereby rotation 4,of said means is adapted to similarly actuate said plug.

5. In a pocket cigarette lighter, the' combination with a container of a Hint tube having internally and externally threaded portions, threaded means within the Hint tube adapted to engage the internally threaded portion, means extending into the Hint tube for rotating said threaded means, and further threaded means secured to the Hint tube at its externally threaded portion for preventing the Withdrawal of the mea'nsoextending into the Hint tube. f

6. In a Hint advancing mechanism foreig-l larette lighters, the combination With a lighter' body and a flint tube mounted thereon, of a flint located in said tube, means forimparting a spring pressure to said Hint, including a. threaded plug having an integral extension thereon, unthreaded means freely rotatable Iwithin said tube and engaging said extension for increasing the tension of said spring, and means disposed at the end of said tube for preventing the Withdrawal of said unthreaded means.

7. In a Hint advancing mechanism for ciga rette lighters, the combination with a lighter body and a flint tube mounted thereon, of a flint located in said tube, means yfor imparting a spring pressure to said flint including a threaded plug having an integral extension thereon, Unthreaded means freely rotatable Within said tube and engaging said extension for increasing the tension'of said spring, aTnd threaded means disposed at the end of ysaid tube for preventing the withdrawal of said unthreaded means. Y' l 8. In a Hint advancing mechanism for cigarette lighters,`the combination with a lighter body and a Hint tube mounted thereon, of 'a flint located in one end of said tube, of a member'rotatably mounted in the opposite end of said tube, a screw plug in threaded engagement with the interior 4of said tube, an I integral extension mountedon said plug, a resilient member interposed between the plug and the flint, bifurcated means for engaging said extension and moving said plug on rotation tif-said member, and means threaded externally onto said tube for normally preventing removal of/thc bifurcatednember from said tube.

.9.' In 'a f'lmt advancingmechanism for-'a c1garette hghter, the combination With'a lighter body and a Hint .tube mounted thereon,

of a flint located insaid tube, means for imf parting a spring pressure to said Hint, in eluding a threaded plug having an offcentered cylindrical extension thereon, unthreaded meansv freely Irotatable within said tube having an off-centered recess therein in which said-integral extension is adapted to work, for increasing .the tension of said spring, and means disposed at the end of said 4 tube r preventing the Withdrawal of said unt-hreaded means.

v 10. In a Hint advancing mechanism for a cigarette lighter, the combination With a lighter body and a Hint tube mounted thereon,

of a flint located in said tube, means for 'imparting'a spring pressure to said Hint includmg a plug member having an olf-centered xfintegral extension thereon, and means movable Within said tube having an off-centered recess therein in which the integral extension may seat for cooperation therewith to increase the compression of said spring. l

11. In a Hint advancing mechanism for a cigarette lighter, the combination with a lighter body and a Hint tube mounted thereon, of a Hint located in said tube, a resilient member disposed Within said tube against said flint, means disposed Within said tube'for -compressing said resilient member to bring pressure to bear on said Hint, said means including a plug member having an eccentrically disposed extension thereon, and further means extending into said Hint tube and adapted for engagement and cooperation With said extension.

12. In a HintV advancing mechanism for a cigarette lighter, the combination with a lighter body and a flint tube mounted thereon,

-Icomprising a hollow-member having a boss thereon, of a Hint located in. said tube, a resilient member disposedwithin said tube 4against said Hint, means disposed Within 'said tube for compressing said resilient member to bring pressure to bear on said Hint, said' means including a plug member having an extension thereon, a cap member having a boss on one end thereof for engaging with the boss on the Hint tube, and further means seles lill

cured to said cap and extending/internally of the Hint tube whenthecap is applied thereto for engaging with' the said extension.

18. In a construction for a cigarette lighter,

the combination with a Hint tube comprising a hollow member having a, boss on the outer f surface of the end thereofl andV means' disposed in said flint tube for imparting pressure to a flint, of a ap member having a boss on the inner surface at one endthereof for engagement with the boss on the flint tube, and a member Asecured to the cap so as to extend `internally of the flint tube when the cap is applied thereto for engagement with and actuation of the means for imparting pressure to the flint.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 26th day of April, A. D. 1928.

EDMOND T. PATNAUDE. 

